The Alternativa Film Project is holding its second annual film awards ceremony this November in Yogyakarta, Indonesia to recognize independent filmmakers across Asia. More than 650 films were submitted for consideration from 14 countries, double the amount received last year. Among the 25 films shortlisted are 13 feature films and 12 short films representing 20 different languages.
Women directors account for nearly half of the selected films, and nine of the feature films are from first-time directors. Genres include documentaries, dramas, comedies and thrillers addressing important social and cultural issues. “We are celebrating bold voices striving to create change through their work,” said Liza Surganova, who heads the Alternativa Film Project.
An international jury including directors, producers and film institute leaders from India, Indonesia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Iran and Brazil will evaluate the films. The winners in four feature categories will each receive $20,000 in prizes, while two short films will be granted $10,000 awards.
In addition to the November 29 awards ceremony, the film festival runs from November 22-28 with public screenings and discussions. A new three-day Industry Days segment connects film professionals through November 27-29. This continues the project’s goal of fostering collaboration and positive change across Southeast Asia.
Hosting the event in Yogyakarta, Indonesia highlights engagement with different Asian communities after last year’s debut in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Represented films showcase cross-cultural themes through languages like Mandarin, Nepali and English in Taiwan’s “After the Snowmelt” and indigenous dialects alongside Malay in Malaysia’s “Peaceland.”
Powerful documentaries like Nepal’s “Devi” and Thailand’s “Breaking the Cycle” are recognized alongside narrative features from Vietnam and Singapore. Short films demonstrate the region’s diverse emerging talents working in animation, documentary and fiction.
Through substantial awards, networking and audiences, the Alternativa Film Project supports important social issue-driven work from Asia’s independent filmmakers. This year’s event builds on successes of the inaugural ceremony in recognizing both established and new creative voices in Asian cinema.